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Beer truck driver arrested on DUI charge in I-70 rollover

A Loveland man was arrested for suspicion of drunk driving and careless driving after his semi-tractor trailer careened off the roadway Monday night on Interstate 70, which started a brush fire and closed traffic lanes several hours.

Dale A. Van Vuren, 49, was hauling a truck, owned by Slager Trucking, loaded down with beer when the vehicle went off the roadway westbound around 9:40 p.m., near the interchange with Colorado Highway 65. The semi struck the median wall and rolled onto its left side, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

The truck ended up blocking both westbound lanes, which were closed six hours, Troopers said. Traffic was diverted around the crash at exit 49. Sparks from the sliding semi started a fire that engulfed the truck and started a wildfire near the highway. Palisade firefighters were able to contain and extinguish the fire after 30 minutes.

Van Vuren, whose beer load was being transported from Loveland to Grand Junction, was arrested at the scene.